FIVE MONTHS AT LARGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1917, Page 8

FIVE MONTHS AT LARGE.

■ 'i'»Oi 1 ~ STORY OF PRISONER'S ESCAPE. The prisoner, James Baldwin, who escaped from Mount Cook Prison, Wellington, about five months ago, Hid was captured at Aramoho (lie other night by Constable Egan, was, at the time of his escape, serving a term of three years' 'reformative treatment at Mount Cook Prison for breaking and entering. Up to the time of his escape his conduct was good, aiul he was allowed to work with the other prisoners at the usual jobs. On the afternoon of August 3 he made his escape. Towards evening lk ivalked into the paint shop with an implement on his shoulder. Finding nobody there, he got into a barrel, and covered himself up with shavings and rubbish. He, was not missed till rollcall. A 'hue and cry was then raised, and a search was immediately instituted, without result. Baldwin remained in hi? hiding-place until midnight, when, finding the coast clear, he jumped through the window, ' ran across the yard and climbed the fence, and wa_ a free man tor five months. Subsequently lie made his way across country in the direction of Paekakariki, and there was given a lift in a motorcar. Later be manage | to meet motorists who helped 'him on bis way to Wangamii. After staying there for a day the escapee made up the river, where he obtained employment on a farm for some weeks. Later on he went to Auckland, where he enjoyed a holiday, afterwards returning to his old haunts up the Wangamii River, where lie worked for his living owe more. Desiring to celebrate the festive season, Baldwin came to Aramoho. This proved his undoing. He was seen and recognised, and the police were informed. Baldwin appeared at the Police Court on Saturday morning, and was charged, with having escaped from Mount Cook Prison on August 3, IiHO. and was remanded to'appear at Wei-: lington on January 5.